Olympics: Team Canada 2026

[ORRFForever]

Over Wilson? Scheifele, Bedard and Suzuki without even thinking about it.

I want size and only Scheifele fits that bill.

 

[Zirakzigil]

I want size and only Scheifele fits that bill.

Size is overrated on international sized ice if you cant skate.

 

[ORRFForever]

Size is overrated on international sized ice if you cant skate.

It's not going to be international sized ice.

 

[RoyIsALegend]

Hes slow and there are far better players who can score that they could bring.

How in the world is Wilson slow?

His skating and speed mixed with his size make him a freak.

Have you actually watched him play or just another Wilson hater because he hurts people?

 

[featherhawk]

Hockey fan first, Isles fan second. Would Barzal get a look if he is healthy?

yes

 

[ORRFForever]

Hockey fan first, Isles fan second. Would Barzal get a look if he is healthy?

2023-2024 Barzal... Yes.
2024-2025 Barzal.. No.

 

[peconcan]

Wilson should have been at the Four Nations. Olympics no way. He’s getting suspended for the tournament the first hit he throws. And we’re short for 5 minutes

 

[ORRFForever]

Wilson should have been at the Four Nations. Olympics no way. He’s getting suspended for the tournament the first hit he throws. And we’re short for 5 minutes

Again, there will be NHL refs on NHL sized ice. He will be fine.

 

[AuraSphere]

We can predict whatever we want - but roster probably won't change much in a few months.

Notable changes I'd make is:
Forwards: Celebrini, Bedard, Schiefele, Barzal (IN)
Goalies: Thompson + Blackwood (IN)

Forwards: Cirelli, Jarvis, Bennett, Hagel (OUT)
Goalies: Hill, Montembeault (OUT)

Sucks that guys like Stamkos and Tavares are out of their primes - them in prime form would be a beauty with the rest of the roster.

 

[hockeyguy0022]

you know, if bedard wanted to try and have the best shot he can (playing in chicago) to make the olympic team, he needs to gain about 15-20 pounds of muscle. Need to really beef up/fill out into his "man body" he's still just a boy. If he doesn't hit that man spurt, it's just not going to happen this olympics.

He should also get out of chicago.... but that's another thing.

 

[RoyIsALegend]

We can predict whatever we want - but roster probably won't change much in a few months.

Notable changes I'd make is:
Forwards: Celebrini, Bedard, Schiefele, Barzal (IN)
Goalies: Thompson + Blackwood (IN)

Forwards: Cirelli, Jarvis, Bennett, Hagel (OUT)
Goalies: Hill, Montembeault (OUT)

Sucks that guys like Stamkos and Tavares are out of their primes - them in prime form would be a beauty with the rest of the roster.

Is this a video game?

You want to remove 4 physical and/or PKing, two-way/defensive specialists to replace them with 4 offensive players?

 

[ORRFForever]

We can predict whatever we want - but roster probably won't change much in a few months.

Notable changes I'd make is:
Forwards: Celebrini, Bedard, Schiefele, Barzal (IN)
Goalies: Thompson + Blackwood (IN)

Forwards: Cirelli, Jarvis, Bennett, Hagel (OUT)
Goalies: Hill, Montembeault (OUT)

Sucks that guys like Stamkos and Tavares are out of their primes - them in prime form would be a beauty with the rest of the roster.

Jarvis is not going anywhere. He will be on Canada's BoB for the next half dozen years plus.

Bennett has been terrific.

Hill would be my 2nd goalie - behind Thompson.

Schiefele is in. Celebrini is too young. Bedard is not there yet. Barzal is hit or miss.

 

[Fraser28]

Quietest 3 points in history. Invisible on the ice all game.

If you say so. I disagree.

Also, he’ll be in the Olympics.

 

[hockeyguy0022]

Jarvis is not going anywhere. He will be on Canada BoB for the next half dozen years plus.

Bennett has been terrific.

Hill would be my 2nd goalie - behind Thompson.

Schiefele is in. Celebrini is too young. Bedard is not there yet. Barzal is hit or miss.

Thompson, Schiefele forsure 100% celebrini, 65% depending on if he keeps it rolling.

Bedard has to physically fill out into his "man body" IMO, so did Mcdavid in all fairness.

 

[Nucks2001]

If Adam Fantilli continues his strong season, he's the type of player that Canada desperately needs

 

[Nucks2001]

It's not the Olympics and Olympic refereeing, so the penalties haven't been copious or dubious shall i say.

Just a quick comparison tells me Bennett ES has 15 g 14 a in 55 games, while Lowry has 11 g, 13 a, in 48 games, the former -12 on the season, the latter +17, And one has Tkachuk as a linemate, while the other has Mason Appleton. Lowry is better on the draw, and is actually playing the PK during the season.

Now Cirelli I think you could make a decent claim for outperforming Lowry at most facets. But Lowry might be the better skater, and is definitely tougher. And again Cirelli centers better linemates for his statistics.

No one is discounting role players, but it was evident in the USA game last Saturday that outside of our big guns, our bottom 6 could not generate any offence. I for one love Lowry's game and he is deserving of a spot. But I will not have Stone, Cirelli, Lowry, Bennett, Hagel, Marchand, and Konecny.

That is an overkill for ROLE players and what that term actually entails. I'd love to take Konecny and Hagel as wingers and Lowry as a center. Then I'd fill out the rest with guys like Scheifele, Johnston, Thomas, Bedard, Celebrini, Barzal, Guenther. Some of those players are also capable of killing penalties.

The point is, the "better" player is usually the correct player in 90% of the cases. I'd also love to see Canada put players like Point, Reinhart, and Morrissey on the PK. They've historically been great PKers in the past and they have the ability to do it. It negates not having to bring more role players than you need. The 2010 and 2014 Olympic Teams did a fantastic job of this.
You don't need to galaxy brain it.

Look at the US. The only real mistake they may have made was maybe not including Thompson or Robertson for a Kreider or Nelson. Even then, the team is stacked with skill.

 

[chaser17]

Will have to build a disciplined yet skilled team to combat the IIHF standard of officiating vs NHL officiating.

 

[Avsfan1921]

I think people are getting too caught up in the “role player vs stars” concept. We have just as many goals as the states and are tied for the lead in that department. Where we’ve struggled is creating sustained pressure, but that’s more to do with a short format and players trying to figure one another out more than anything. Replacing high end two way talent with high end offence may work, but I can guarantee that if it doesn’t, people will be freaking out because we are too soft, easy to play against, didn’t bring a mix, etc.

 

[centipede2233]

Hyman should be seriously considered

 

[daver]

I think people are getting too caught up in the “role player vs stars” concept. We have just as many goals as the states and are tied for the lead in that department. Where we’ve struggled is creating sustained pressure, but that’s more to do with a short format and players trying to figure one another out more than anything. Replacing high end two way talent with high end offence may work, but I can guarantee that if it doesn’t, people will be freaking out because we are too soft, easy to play against, didn’t bring a mix, etc.

People are going to freak out regardless if Canada doesn't win.

We saw what happened at the WJCs when high end offensive talent was left off the roster. And in the 2006 Olympics.

The most dominant win at the Olympics since '98 was in 2014 when Babcock instilled a puck possession strategy. The roster was filled with star players who adjusted their styles.

Rosters | 2014 Olympic Winter Games – Men’s Hockey

Explore Team Canada’s roster and find all rosters for teams at the 2014 Olympic Winter Games in Sochi, Russia, on HockeyCanada.ca.

www.hockeycanada.ca

Better to teach an offensive player to play defense than a defensive player to play offense right?

 

[Avsfan1921]

Better to teach an offensive player to play defense than a defensive player to play offense right?

This still does not negate the fact that we are tied for first with the states in goals, in a short tournament where players haven’t had time to create chemistry. Or that we have had a harder time keeping the puck out than putting it in. I fail to see how adding, for example, Bedard, fixes that.

I’m not saying this exact roster should go, but people are expecting/wanting big changes and I don’t think that’s too realistic.

Also, swap those two teams goalies, put prime Lou and price on this team and I’d bet they look pretty damn dominant.

 

[daver]

This still does not negate the fact that we are tied for first with the states in goals, in a short tournament where players haven’t had time to create chemistry. Or that we have had a harder time keeping the puck out than putting it in. I fail to see how adding, for example, Bedard, fixes that.

Seems like the goals against are more of a goalie problem than a roster problem. If anything, overthinking things can be pointed to as a reason Canada has lost at the men's level and at the junior level.

Rolling three scoring lines with a 4th line of role players maybe the best mix.

Whatever the roster, Canada not bringing their "A" game will be the reason they lose.

 

[aylib]

It's not the Olympics and Olympic refereeing, so the penalties haven't been copious or dubious shall i say.

Just a quick comparison tells me Bennett ES has 15 g 14 a in 55 games, while Lowry has 11 g, 13 a, in 48 games, the former -12 on the season, the latter +17, And one has Tkachuk as a linemate, while the other has Mason Appleton. Lowry is better on the draw, and is actually playing the PK during the season.

Now Cirelli I think you could make a decent claim for outperforming Lowry at most facets. But Lowry might be the better skater, and is definitely tougher. And again Cirelli centers better linemates for his statistics.

Lowry better skater than Cirelli?

 

[Avsfan1921]

Seems like the goals against are more of a goalie problem than a roster problem. If anything, overthinking things can be pointed to as a reason Canada has lost at the men's level and at the junior level.

Rolling three scoring lines with a 4th line of role players maybe the best mix.

Whatever the roster, Canada not bringing their "A" game will be the reason they lose.

Unfortunately the goalie problem is indeed a roster problem.

I edited my post a bit ago to include the goaltending discrepancy between the two compared teams. We don’t have that type of goaltender available to take, someone that reliable. Binner ain’t the answer but replacing half the squad up front doesn’t solve that.

 

[daver]

Unfortunately the goalie problem is indeed a roster problem.

I edited my post a bit ago to include the goaltending discrepancy between the two compared teams. We don’t have that type of goaltender available to take, someone that reliable. Binner ain’t the answer but replacing half the squad up front doesn’t solve that.

It would be interesting to look at the roster choices in the past. The "role" players always get mentioned when Canada has lost like in '98 and 2006.